Junior Accountant – Manufacturing Cost Accounting

Job Description

Junior Accountant | Robert Half

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Robert Half’s client. The client operates in the manufacturing sector, and this position directly supports their comprehensive accounting and finance operations. The Junior Accountant is a critical team member responsible for assisting with daily financial activities, supporting the month-end close, and contributing to accurate financial reporting. This role provides an ideal opportunity for an entry-level professional to build a robust foundation in manufacturing accounting and cost accounting principles.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Team: Accounting and Finance Team
• Mission: Support daily accounting activities, month-end close processes, and financial reporting to ensure accurate financial data and compliance within a manufacturing environment.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Excel, ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Epicor, or similar)

What You’ll Actually Do
• Daily Accounting Support: Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable processing, along with maintaining accurate accounting records and supporting documentation to ensure smooth daily financial operations.
• Reconciliation & Record-Keeping: Prepare and post journal entries accurately and timely, perform comprehensive bank, general ledger, and various account reconciliations, and maintain fixed asset records along with depreciation schedules.
• Manufacturing & Cost Analysis: Assist with inventory accounting, including conducting cycle counts and inventory reconciliations, and analyze manufacturing variances and production costs by reviewing and validating production, labor, and material cost data.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Support all month-end and year-end closing activities, help prepare financial statements and management reports, and ensure compliance with company policies, GAAP, and internal controls while assisting with audits by gathering requested documentation.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within existing accounting processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy across finance operations.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. A foundational understanding of basic accounting principles and financial reporting is required for this role.
• Experience: Requires 0-2 years of accounting experience, with relevant internship experience being fully considered. Exposure to manufacturing or inventory accounting is a significant advantage. Prior experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Epicor, or similar platforms is preferred.
• Skills: Demonstrate strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Possess robust analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Must have the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and consistently meet deadlines. Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy are essential.
• Bonus: Knowledge of cost accounting concepts. Experience specifically reconciling inventory and general ledger accounts. Effective written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to work collaboratively across production, operations, and finance teams, are highly valued.